BEYOND THE CURTAINS

DARIUSH

DECISION-MAKING & ADVOCACY

Hi everyone, I'm Dariush and I'm excited to share how DramaWay Productions has been a joyful part of my life since I first started attending classes 25 years ago! With DramaWay, I feel like I am a part of something bigger than the everyday. The joy I experience during DramaWay classes fills me with happiness and positivity, and that spills over into other aspects of my life – it's a win-win situation!

One of the most important skills I’ve learned through DramaWay is advocacy. I’ve seen advocacy and empathy modelled in DramaWay classes and through performing and collaborating with all different cast members, friends, and facilitators at DramaWay. Another important skill I’ve developed through DramaWay is my decision-making skills, which I’ve honed through my dedication to DramaWay programs and I apply it to other community activities I do. I attend the SNAPSO day program full-time, and I like to bring my DramaWay scripts with me so I can review my lines. And I channel my love of storytelling into work I do as an author, you may have heard of my book, “Rise of the Prince”!

Buy my book, “Rise of the Prince” HERE

I also apply these skills to experiences in my personal life, like when I recently faced some medical challenges and I was confident to take charge in articulating my issues and advocating for myself at the hospital. I’m super proud of myself, and I know my family and friends are too. I know that the confidence, decision-making skills and advocacy skills I’ve developed at DramaWay continue to help me in all aspects of my life.

I love to perform and I have become a very confident actor over the years. DramaWay’s Founder, Danielle Strnad, has been so dedicated in helping me find amazing acting opportunities. Throughout my time at DramaWay, Danielle and the staff at DramaWay have encouraged me to advocate for myself and achieve some pretty incredible things. One of my favourites has to be meeting and working with the one and only Jessi Cruickshank! It was such an honour when she invited me to be a part of her inclusive fashion show on CBC “The Goods” with the amazing hosts Shahir, Steven, and Andrea. I’ve also had the chance to work with talented actors and Toronto Filmmaker, Kire Paputts on the TIFF film “Rainbow Kid”, and I’ve appeared on “A Voice For All” with Jam Gamble on Rogers TV with my wonderful friend Danielle Strnad. And most recently, I’ve been inspired to work on getting my own YouTube channel. Stay tuned for that!

DramaWay has also been a beautiful connection between me and my family, bringing us closer together. My family is always excited to see what I will do at the big performances and I even collaborate with my dad on costume ideas. I'm always eager to share my enthusiasm about our play and its storyline with everyone I interact with. I can't express enough how much I love DramaWay. I feel the  buzz of excitement when Theatre Classes start up in the fall, and that happiness grows throughout the year until the final Showcase performance in June. Last year, I got to play the role of Uncle Henry and The Wizard in “Adventures From the Yellow Brick Road”! Thank you, DramaWay, for being such an integral part of my life and for helping me grow into the confident person I am today.

Support Dariush in his efforts to create a lasting difference in the community Beyond the Curtains by GIVING today!